Nuggets win 122-112 but hey, it was kind of close, right?

Considering what Oklahoma City was going up against tonight, a 10-point loss really ain’t all that bad. Coming in Denver had won seven straight, was 31-8 at home and was sitting squarely as the second seed in the West.

And of course this was the Thunder’s fourth consecutive loss and the seventh in eight games, but this one was close throughout. Which is better than not being close at all. Denver didn’t take its largest lead of four until late in the third quarter. The Nuggets stretched it to 10 early in the fourth and never let it get closer than five. But the fact that the Thunder played extremely hard and competed well for 48 minutes, especially after playing last night, was nice to see. Nobody really expected victory coming in, but a blowout loss wouldn’t have been a surprise. But they hung tough and gave themselves a chance.

Something I really watched for was how Kevin Durant responded when he came back in during crunch time in the fourth. He took a seat with 10 minutes left in the fourth with OKC trailing by two. He re-entered with 7:30 left with the Thunder down eight. The next three minutes Durant didn’t take a shot and the Nuggets pushed the lead to 12. He then really started trying to take over and got to the line six times and ended up scoring eight points, but he still only took four shots and made one (which was a flipping sweet facial on Chris Andersen) and the Thunder never got closer than seven. I honestly couldn’t really see much KD could have done differently because he tried to do his work, but he just didn’t get much help. Jeff Green scored just four in the fourth after having 20 in the first three. He only took three shots and that’s the thing – he seemed a bit passive.

At this point in the season you’re looking for small things to put in your pocket and take with into the offseason. You’re not playing for anything, but you want to get better. And despite losing by 10, there’s a couple of positives here.

Russell Westbrook was absolutely excellent. He had 14 points (6-13 shooting), 11 assists, six rebounds and complete control of the game while he was on the floor. These last couple games it’s really seemed like Westbrook was settled and in control (he’s had two double-doubles in his last three). He really didn’t force things and instead of looking for his own offense, he did an awesome job of getting into the lane, slowing himself down and finding teammates. He had five assists in the first quarter and seven in the first half. He would have had two more in the first half, but after making two fantastic no-look passes to Thabo and KD, their layups were blocked. Oh, and Russell completely broke Anthony Carter down with about 2:30 left in the first quarter. Like Carter had his jock, his wallet and possibly his groin laying somewhere near the free throw line after that. Too bad Durant couldn’t pay off the wide open three. We still can’t say whether or not Westbrook is the point guard of the future because there’s a lot to go before that can be determined, but I think he’s taken some solid steps in the right direction these last few.

D.J. White and Shaun Livingston really encouraged me with their games. Neither line really jumps out and hits you in the face (White had seven points, four rebounds; Livingston six points, three assists), but both were productive with their time. It’s clear Scott Brooks is watching their minutes closely, but Livingston has the look of a guy that can control the game when he comes in. He’s calm and makes great passes. White has got to get stronger on the boards. In the second quarter Renaldo Balkman went right over the top of him and took one away. But White finished well around the rim and he’s a great bailout option for Westbrook and Livingston. He can knock down open jumpers, but he can also go inside.

The Thunder had 10 turnovers in the first half (15 for the game) but they also had a number of great passes. Westbrook had four or five sweet dishes. Thabo had a great wrap-around to Krstic. Jeff Green hit a cutting Thabo for two. Just a lot of great looks.

Nenad Krstic was 7-10 for 17 points. It was nice to see him back to his old jumpshooting self. When he’s hitting those jumpers, Westbrook is a 10 assist kind of guy. When he’s not, Russell will have four or five. Westbrook will get Krstic open looks. It’s just a matter of whether or not Krispy hits it.

Again, hot first quarter hitting 3-4 from three, but then 2-8 after.

When I watch J.R. Smith, I can’t help but wonder why he’s not a 20-25 point per game player. Obviously, he doesn’t get enough minutes for it, but he can score from everywhere and he’s really got a complete offensive game. But he’s your dream shooting guard – 6-foot-6, athletic, great jump shot and the ability to get to the rim and score. Why he’s never turned it on, I do not know.

The Nuggets had 22 first half free throw attempts. They finished 30-36 from the line. In three of the four games, Denver has had over 30 makes from the line. I’m not one to complain about officiating, but tonight I must admit to hating the refs more than usual. Carmelo gets every call. Every. Freaking. Call. And of course right after the play that made me write that, Westbrook got raked across the face the next possession, but was there a call? Would I be writing this if there were? The Thunder was called for 27 fouls and Denver 22. If it weren’t for KD late in the game, it would have been more like 27-18. Again, I’m not really complaining but yet, I really am.

Brian Davis said that in Thunder wins, Jeff Green averages 15 free throw attempts a game but in losses he averages under four. Wowzers. I’m going to have to check that stat because that just doesn’t seem right.

Speaking of Uncle Jeff, how about his poster of the Birdman? Holy crap that was a sweet dunk. And then KD followed it up with another one to which Russell gave a huge fist pump. I don’t think RW has forgotten the Birdman taking exception to Russ dunking on him last time. I like the Birdman but I also like watching OKC dunk on his face.

Is it just me or does Denver’s rims seem extra rattlely? Those things are probably still vibrating.

Uncle Jeff had 24 points and KD had 31 to match Carmelo’s 31 and Nene’s 23. But the difference was the Thunder bench totaled just 22 points and Denver had 46 off the pine.

Unlike last night, when Kyle Weaver and Livingston were on the floor, Livingston handled point guard duties. Which I like a bit better because Weaver is more comfortable off the ball. I want him to be able to play both spots, but I think Livingston does a better job of running the offense.

Brian Davis always says Linas Kleiza is in a shooting slump, but I’d never know it. He scored 17 big points off the bench and hit a dagger three late. He’s averaging 13 ppg against OKC which is three above his season averaging and is shooting 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. Of course he hits 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three on the season.

Very similar to the game last night, OKC was very tight with Denver but a poor close to third gave the Nuggets a semi-comfortable lead going into the fourth. That type of thing has killed the Thunder all year. For whatever reason, the last two minutes of quarters really comes back to bite OKC.

Sure it’s another loss, but I think there’s a lot of good to take from this. Guys that need some run got it and were somewhat productive. Nick Collison was killed by foul trouble and only got 16 minutes, but D.J. White got 12, Livingston 18 and Weaver 18. Those guys need minutes and that’s what these last few games are for.

One day off to come back to OKC to get ready to put a bow on the 2008-09 home season. A tear. I vote we beat the Bobcats Friday night for a solid sendoff.

Westbrook probably will develop somewhere between a Rondo and a Billups. If he takes the best of both (athleticism / accept not being the #1 from Rondo and shooting touch /leadership including taking the big shot when he can get it or the others can't from Billups) then he will be a great pick.

Joe, Billups would be a good target / role model for Westbrook. Westbrook is actually ahead of rookie Billups on assists. Billups shot too much early, probably trying to advance his potential pay as almost all do. His strong FT% to some degree gave hope the FG% would eventually pick up. Westbrook's might too. Billups later found the 3 pt shot and then eventually the midrange and the assists and most importantly the leadership. It look along time ans was such an unusual case. Westbrook could be quicker moving up some but the track record of the league is that most don't get that far. He might. If he is the PG of the future he will have to have the respect, trust and ultimately control of Durant, Green, etc. - to be a Billups.

If Durant becomes a Roy / Kobe / McGrady playmanker then Westbrook wouldn't need to or probably be allowed to be a Billups. You have generally one or the other. If Durant became the primary playmaker then Westbrook would be more like a Fisher / Alston.

I haven't seen Green and KD play good defense consistently this entire season. I'm reserving my right to give up hope on their defense until next year, when they've had an off-season to focus. I see RW get burned sometimes, but he's a rookie. I like Shaun's defense, but it was obvious last night that he was no match for Chauncey at the end of the third. When a guy tries to play D, and makes the right decisions, but still gets burned, what can you say? The other guy is just better.

Nenad gets burned on the boards when he plays athletic teams. Several times he was just out of position, or just a half second too slow to the ball. But the dude doesn't give up, and from time to time he comes up with a blocked shot or a rebound from nowhere. Which amazes me that anyone can block a shot while also living with a 2 inch vertical jump. I wonder how he'll improve from this year to next.

@BernardI think I and others have mentioned that a good deal. With the way Green tends to play great for 20 minutes a game and like a nobody the rest of the time he's in, he would make a perfect 6th man. Steal Millsap from Utah when Boozer decides not to opt out, then give Green all the backup minutes at SF and PF (about 21 minutes) and let him do what he does best.

The situation of Green is worrying me. He is putting up nice stat but not impacting the game like the stats suggests. day by day I am leaning closer to the idea of signing/drafting a star pf, play him at the 6th man role and he will sparkle the offence when he's on. our guard rotation seems solid for a few years to come so I am not worrying that much.

Dan, I do use internet lead to watch the thunder game when possible. I use a programme called sopcast. I am not entirely sure if that's legal or not, but that's the only way I get to watch a thunder game.

To me it appers the PG position is finally starting to sink in for westbrook. I don't think its so much Livingston although it could be part of it. I really belive that next year jet zero will have a much improved year if he works on his jumper..

Crow :“Brian Davis said that in Thunder wins, Jeff Green averages 15 free throw attempts a game but in losses he averages under four. Wowzers. I’m going to have to check that stat because that just doesn’t seem right.”He got field goal and free throw attempts mixed.In wins he averages 15 field goal attempts and 5 free throw attempts.In losses he averages 13.5 field goal attempts and a bit less than 4 free throw attempts.Not much difference.

Thanks for the clarification. I wrote that down when he said it and I thought there was no way that could be anywhere close to right.

@DanI don't know what the deal is. The last three or four, he's had an excellent first quarter but has tailed off in the second half. He played a nice game last night but had just four points on two shots in the fourth quarter.

On the Oklahoman's live blog, there were mixed thoughts about my comment that perhaps Livingston is doing for Westbrook, what Thabo did for Weaver. I certainly want to give credit to the knowledge and experience imparted by Watson and Atkins, but the question coming into the season wasn't if Russell was going to be our starting point guard, but when he'd take over for Earl. So while there was - and still is - a learning curve for Westbrook, there has never really been anyone to challenge him.

While we still have to see how Livingston plays - and how his knee holds up - over a longer period of games and minutes, there is at least talk about whether Westbrook should move to the 2, or perhaps even be a sixth man. Nobody really believes the latter, but the former has to at least get some thought. So maybe that's forced him to show that he can improve on the traditional aspects of being a point guard.

Unfortunately, my fandom of the Thunder is strictly limited to what I read and see on the internet, as I never get to actually watch any of the games (outside of highlights on ESPN), but I feel like I've read the "Jeff Green just disappeared in the second half of the game" line in a disturbing amount of these post-game reviews. Is this just fatigue, or is there something deeper than this? You can't really have a big-three-in-training when one of the wheels stops working after the first half.

1) It stunk. It was putrid; and that was from the word go. It didn’t seem as bad because it was a close game throughout – but that was only because the Thunder were clicking offensively. Bur this was worse than even our last two blowout losses. The Nuggets shot 54%! In comparison, The Blazers only shot 47%, and the Pacers could not manage more than 50%. Together, Kyle Weaver and Kevin Durant had nine mistakes . . . in the FIRST QUARTER. A lot of it was giving up penetration, time and time again. You can excuse some of it – after all, Weaver (at 6-5)is a total mismatch on Carmelo Anthony (6-9), as Weaver had to guard him 8 times in the first. Still, if you know that, Brooks should bring more help. None was forthcoming. There was a similar pattern of miscues throughout. On possession #7 (around 8 minutes left in the 1st quarter), I stopped and rewound a play seven or eight times. Why? We had just given up a slam to Nene – because the Thunder players were jogging back on defense. The game had just started, and it was a close game!!! Can we stop mailing it in defensively please????

2) Thabo was the lone exception to the above paragraph. He excelled, and it was a joy to watch. Even though he only played two minutes in the first, he had two deflections and no mistakes before he had to go to the bench. It was on when he came back in the second. He had seven deflections on the game (that is a great number) and he of course was involved in the defensive play of the night. You guys probably remember it. Dahntay Jones picked up a loose ball and was headed to the other side of the court ready to dunk. Thabo was alongside. Thabo then comes up with a great stuff. I want to point something out – it is a subtle but important aspect of the play. Thabo was not trying to run alongside Jones to keep up – he was running toward the goal. That’s a big difference. It’s a slightly different angle, and the path he took was a shorter one than if he had just chased Jones all the way. It’s also easier to run at full steam if you are running straight ahead. It’s almost as if he said “Hey Jones, see ya at the goal!” The skill he showed was just superb. The timing on the block was excellent. It was the best defensive play I’ve seen since I started charting.

I've never liked the Russell/Dwayne Wade comparison and haven't really had a better one, but on the Denver feed tonight, Scott Hastings was really making a great comparison for RW and Chauncey Billups. Wow. That is so good. Chauncey was a high draft pick, and was sort of a combo guard with good size and atheleticism. He was a little shaky with his jumper early in his career but figured it out. In about year 4 he began racking up assists and becoming a great point guard. Both 6'3".

I do think RW is our PG of the future, but I think also it's smart to have a bunch of guys (Weaver, Livingston) who can come in and handle the rock and let RW go off the ball sometimes, and to be a strong backup for when he get's wild with his growing pains.

"Brian Davis said that in Thunder wins, Jeff Green averages 15 free throw attempts a game but in losses he averages under four. Wowzers. I’m going to have to check that stat because that just doesn’t seem right."

He got field goal and free throw attempts mixed.

In wins he averages 15 field goal attempts and 5 free throw attempts.In losses he averages 13.5 field goal attempts and a bit less than 4 free throw attempts.